I just finished reading many posts about grade transitions. All good info. What I do NOT quite grasp is about the track itself. I do grasp the idea of 2% and so on.
I am new to this hobby and have not run anything except flat track. Once a suitable grade has been created how does tubular track make it from flat to an incline? Do you just force it to bend by screwing it down?
It must be a simple thing as I see it illustrated beautifuly, but my 74 year old brain dosen’t make THAT transitionn. PLEASE help!
I guess it depends on how severe the grade you are building - I’ve never actually had to bend the track, just fit it together then lifted it up with a trestle or incline.
if you only have a 2% grade, the bend in the track will be very very slight. nothing like some of the bends I hand in my parents living room going from hardwood floors to carpet!
It is best to make the first piece’s rise less, maybe 1/2, of what the overall grade will be. Ditto for coming off the grade. Some longer cars sometimes uncouple on too quick a grade change.
This is a good point, Roger. If the initial grade is too sharp (is that the right word), the cars uncouple as neatly as you can imagine as soon as the engine begins up …